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Midwives working outside the MPG model
Midwives working in an MPG model of care (i.e. BCC model) receive benefits funding over and above their BCC earnings, to pay benefits premiums, admin fees, optional programs like leave savings or wellness spending accounts, and then all residual funds are contributed to their group RSP. Each midwife may have a different selection of AOMBT options, but every midwife working in an MPG model of care receives benefits funding and has mandatory coverage with the AOMBT benefits plan.
Midwives working in different models, like hospitalist midwives, Expanded Midwifery Care Models (EMCM), or hybrid arrangements, do not have a standard agreement with the province, and must negotiate and understand all the details of their compensation package, including benefits and retirement plans, when considering a career.
Benefits
Even if you are working in an alternative model, you may opt in to receiving benefits through AOMBT. We strongly encourage you to make sure you have an adequate benefits plan in place, for both you and your family.
If you choose to remain on the AOMBT Benefits plan, you must complete the Annual Earnings Disclosure Form, provide a statement of earnings (i.e. contract, letter from HR reflecting Annual Earnings, or any document that can substantiate your annual earnings), in order to calculate your benefits for parental leave or disability leave. The form must be submitted at the beginning of every year, or any time your earnings change.
Any midwife on this plan is allowed to opt out of the health and dental portion of the plan if you have coverage under a partner’s plan.
When mandatory coverage is provided through an employer plan, EMCM and hospitalist midwives are eligible to apply for non-participation in the AOMBT benefits plan, effective the date they are eligible to join the employer plan.
You can apply for non-participation if you have equivalent or comparable coverage (with an Explanation of Benefits or a letter from your employer); you expect to have less than 10 BCCs over the next calendar year; you are an Indigenous midwife; or a Locum midwife.
If you are eligible for non-participation, you must opt out of all benefits with the AOMBT (AD&D, Critical Illness, Dental, Extended Health, Life Insurance, STD, LTD and all optional coverage). For example, you cannot decide to keep life insurance and terminate disability.
If your employer requires a probation period before your benefits coverage begins, and you do not have residual BCCs during this period, you will be required to pay benefits premiums to the Trust by direct debit withdrawal or from your leave savings account (if applicable).
If you receive residual BCC income after you have opted out of the benefits program, an admin fee will be deducted and the remainder of your benefits funding will go to your GRSP, leave savings, or WSA if applicable.
Comparing plans
When considering an alternate employer benefits plan, it is important to review all the components of the plan carefully.
There is the potential for loss of coverage and eligibility when switching plans, and you should treat the decision carefully! You may wish to consult an expert when comparing plans.
Ask for a benefits booklet with all the details of any plan you are considering, which you can compare to the AOMBT booklet.
Other AOMBT programs to consider when making a decision:
- Retirement savings and Investments
GRSP contributions are built into the structure of benefits funding. - Leave Savings
This program enables midwives to set aside a portion of their benefits funding to a savings account with the AOMBT to use if you take a leave of two months or more, for any reason. - Wellness Spending Account
An optional program allowing midwives to direct benefits funding towards wellness-related expenses.